UlyssesIn80-Reading James Joyce Masterpiece in 80 Days

The 2026 season opens with this podcast.
Ulysses in 80 is a global reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses, now in its fifth year, moving through the book together over eighty days.
This episode gathers twenty-four voices — all participants in the global group — who offered their own response to a simple question: why read Ulysses? This is the first podcast of the 2026 season.
These voices were not recorded in a studio, and not rehearsed. They arrived as they are — from around the world — finding their way into one place.
What emerges is a mosaic of voices, each one distinct, yet somehow in conversation.
And in a time that feels difficult, and with a book that often feels the same, something else begins to happen: we begin to hear each other.
The 2026 Ulysses in 80 reading begins June 1.
More information: [email protected]
Ulysses in 80
Produced by Mark Sanford Gross
With Cliona O'Farrely
Ulysses in 80
A global reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses, moving through the book together over eighty days.
📧 Contact: [email protected]

The 2026 reading is June 1 to August 19th.

Our final episode of the Ulysses in 80 Podcast (2025) weaves 32 soliloquies from readers in 12 countries. Each recorded in a place of their choosing, spontaneous and on the spot, their voices join into one collective stream of consciousness—the 2025 Soliloquy.
Spanning many languages and accents, the chorus echoes Joyce’s vision: strangers passing one another on life’s journey. And at the end, one last soliloquy—an older voice, full of life—reminds us why we struggle with Ulysses, and why we read.
Hosted by Clíona Ó’Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross.
Ulysses in 80
A global reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses, moving through the book together over eighty days.
📧 Contact: [email protected]

The 2026 reading is June 1 to August 19th.

Podcast Description
In our final Ulysses in 80 webinar guest series of 2025, we’re joined by Ilaria Susmel from Trieste, Italy. A local and enthusiastic Joyce reader, Ilaria’s warm and engaging delivery brings both affection for Ulysses and fresh insight into how the city of Trieste itself shapes the reading of the novel in ways we may not have known.
As an added gift, Silvia Margherita German joins us from Trieste with song—imagine the city lights behind her as she sings and speaks, carrying the voice of Trieste into this final stop with Joyce’s masterpiece.
This episode is hosted by Clíona O’Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross. With heartfelt gratitude to Ilaria and Silvia, whose passion and spirit made this closing conversation truly unforgettable.
Ulysses in 80
A global reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses, moving through the book together over eighty days.
📧 Contact: [email protected]

The 2026 reading is June 1 to August 19th.

Ulysses in 80 welcomes special guest Dr. Daragh O’Connell,  Director of the Centre for Dante Studies in Ireland.  This compelling conversation explores the deep links, intersections, and influences between Dante Alighieri and James Joyce — and their landmark works, Inferno and Ulysses. Through this shared lens, we uncover new insights into the structure, symbolism, and ambition of both literary masterpieces. This episode is hosted by Clíona O’Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross.
Ulysses in 80
A global reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses, moving through the book together over eighty days.
📧 Contact: [email protected]

The 2026 reading is June 1 to August 19th.

In this episode of the Ulysses in 80 podcast, we sit down with the one and only Robert Nicholson—a true Joyce legend who spent four decades as the curator of the James Joyce Tower & Museum in Sandycove. Robert has led countless walking tours through the winding streets of Joyce’s Dublin, published beloved editions of Walking Joyce’s Dublin, and brought the spirit of Joyce to life through community events, talks, and good old-fashioned conversation.
Think of this as a fireside chat… if the fire were flickering in a pub at the turn of the 20th century and the topic was Ulysses. With Robert’s wit, stories, and deep connection to the city and the novel, it’s more than a discussion—it’s a journey.
This episode was recorded live on July 29, 2025, and is hosted by Clíona Ó’Farrelly and Mark Sanford Gross.
Pull up a stool, pour a pint, and join us.
Ulysses in 80
A global reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses, moving through the book together over eighty days.
📧 Contact: [email protected]

The 2026 reading is June 1 to August 19th.